Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
September 9, 2018

by Lashawna Griffith

Embattled former minister Donville Inniss is still a member of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), the party’s President Verla Depeiza declared tonight.

She told a meeting of the St James South constituency that he served until the May 24 general election that Inniss, who is currently facing money laundering charges in the United States should be viewed as innocent until proven guilty.

The lawyer-politician told the supporters the matter was sub judice (under judgment). “What I have to say about Mr Inniss is – and you would start by knowing that I am an attorney-at-law – his matter is still sub judice it has not in any way been ventilated with any court that I am aware of and up until such time that that happens he remains in my eyes and the party’s eyes and should also be in the public’s eyes innocent until proven guilty,” Depeiza said to loud cheers by members of the party executive and supporters.

Former Minister of International Business and Commerce Donville Inniss.

She stressed that everyone has seen the indictment in the federal district court in New York but that no one has seen documents being brought forward in the ex-minister’s defence; without these documents, she said, she was unable to comment on the matter.

“We have all read preliminary documents that were disseminated widely online but what we have not seen though is what the defence will be putting as that has not been disseminated online and we do not know if they have reached that point as yet,” she said, adding that based on her legal experience the case may not have reached the stage for the defence information to be disseminated.

“Because I do know how criminal cases progress… they may not have gotten to that part as yet. So it is difficult to ask or even expect an answer for that question when we do not have all of the information,” she said.

She was at the time responding to questions regarding why the DLP had decided to hold a meeting in the constituency office once ran by the former Minister of Commerce and International Business, who is facing criminal charges in the US after a grand jury charged that he used his ministry to launder bribes from executives of insurance company ICBL.

Share it!

Post navigation

16 thoughts on “Donville ‘still a Dem’”

Greengiant

I usually use reports such as this one to delve deeply into the bowels of issues where on the surface is scratched by our trained journalist. I do hope however that BT allows this reply/comment to be posted as to engage further discussion on he recent past and the possible future of the Old Grand Master at George Street.
Now it’s my opinion based on the history of the party in Bellville that Verla unfortunately represents the reestablishment of an old guard within the D L P that recently has been like an albatross around the neck of the party.

By family ties or as the former Prime Minister said when describing a member of the then opposition B L P, Verla too represents a particular dynasty, elitist, or bloodline within the walls at George Street that has emerged as a decision making structure in the last few decades. This said structure had played a major role in the Thompson / Mascol internal battle less than two decades ago that split the party down the middle and was the beginning of the end for the D L P.

In a nutshell she could simply be an occupational captain of the king’s guard until such time as Inniss is cleared or another leader of the king’s guard emerges from the shadows. The real king of George Street served as a sub lieutenant for decades and has been in the shadows of the likes of Barrow, Cammy Tudor, Sandiford, Taitt, Haynes, and the king’s brother for close to half a century, but since the Sandiford era has been basically pulling the strings at George Street from the shadows.

Only a spiritual purge will release this hold on the people at George street as the king / king maker appears to have a ’til death us do part’ hold on the party and the majority of it’s internal organs. Time as always will tell.

What was the purpose of the meeting at that location.interesting.Too many forces in the dark continue to control Barbados even before Independence.these forces was at work silently and continue until this present
day.so when we see leaders we know they lead the masses.but who leads the leaders is the question that remains elusive to answer.But only known to a few.

DePeiza …woman SHUT YA MOUT…you mean to tell me that your 4 TIME LOSER DEPUTY or anyone else in that DISGRACEFUL PRESSURE GROUP couldn’t have told you that is NEGATIVE PUBLICITY for the DEMOCRATIC LABOR PARTY?
That talk should have been CONFINED to the BOSOMS and BOWELS of all ya headquarters…not on social media…you in got na sense ?
Woman…talking about DONVILLE INNISS is NOT going to ENHANCE the DEMOCRATIC LABOR PARTYS’ image…you fa REAL.
Readers…you see who DEM got leading DEM ?….lord have mercy den…..cheeseonbread…you…

Indeed a crime was committed here, the money was placed in the laundry basket right here, but of course the company did not complain, and neither did any other Barbadian. If you want to see the bowels of our leadership when it comes to white collar crime, then look no further than the ‘Integrity In Public Office Legislation”. Look at the fact that it totally excludes members of the private sector involved in offences against the tax payers of Barbados. Examine the “whistle blower aspect of the legislation”, the picture is a true painting of our systems post independence.

DePeiza…your former leader said he is there to offer advice….like he didn’t tell you to do like him…say NOTHING.
Open ya mout when ya GOT TO.There is NO WAY IN HELL that BAJANS gine warm to you and elect YOU to lead them with mouthings such as those.
You think that BAJANS gine elect you to lead them for YOU to turn around and EMBARRASS them like how YOU just EMBARRASS DEM ?
Get serious fast woman…get BOP and rid yourself of those CHUPID MOUTHINGS ya…5 years and 90 days soon up.

You people so quick to offer an opinion on Donville. What about those persons in society who are using their resources to enrich themselves why plunging our youth into serious and disastrous crimes. These same people talk all the time and are supported by many who are never asked to shut up. Give this opinion some thought and see what your conscience tells you.

Keep saying and will always say, If DON din leave BIM we would have never hear about nothing so bout he. So we ain’t gine hear nothing bout the ICBL and any goings on in BIM. Nutten so don’t come to light bout hey. In BIM, but if you teef a tin of sardines it/you will make front page.

Verla was only responding to a question that was ask. That is all. Donville will be tried in a court of law, if found guilty he will be punished. I will not be one of those persons that is willing to through Donville “under the bus”.

@Depeiza; Don is still a Dem by Dems` standards, politicians generally stays clear of these issues until but as a barbados` attorney, you think they have the wrong fella, best of luck. Are you coming to lend your support as you are now the leader of the party and let the NY. DA see who his party is made up of, the ex. AG is there already.